'Why we protested Stella Oduah’s award'

'Why we protested Stella Oduah’s award'

'Why we protested Stella Oduah’s award'

Ms Taiwo Akpabio, one of the two women who were bundled out of an award ceremony venue in London last week said she protested against Aviation Minister Princess Stella Oduah's award because "it was a disrespect and lack of sensitivity to the families of those who lost their lives in air crash accidents in Nigeria".

Speaking in an interview with a source in London, Ms Akpabio said it was "wicked and disgraceful to give an award to a minister who is under investigation for fraud", adding that it was also insensitive of the minister to accept the award in view of the myriad of air crash mishaps in the country that happened under her watch.

Under civilized climes, the minister should have resigned her appointment or suspended by the President pending the completion of investigation on the alleged fraud involving her, and pointed out the British Members of Parliament (MPs) expenses scandals which resulted in the prosecution, resignation and suspension of many of them as an example.

She further pointed out that it was inappropriate to give Kaduna state governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero an award for peace along with Princess Oduah, considering the fact that his predecessor, Patrick Yakowa, died in an air crash, stressing that it was a disrespect to the soul of the late governor.

She criticized the organizers of the awards, Global Peace Movement for bestowing awards to undeserving persons, and queried how much the recipients paid to be given the awards. She also criticized the organization for holding the event in London, stressing that no serious British politician would travel to Nigeria with large entourage just to receive an award.